Travel
Warnings | Travel
Alerts | Country
Specific Information

Search

Most
Requested Passport Landing Page
Passport: How to
Apply for the First Time (In Person) Form DS-11: Application for a U.S.
Passport Passport Fees How to Apply for a
Passport Renewal Visa
Landing Page Passport: Application
Processing Times Visa Bulletin Passport: Form DS-82:
Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail Visa: DV Program Passport: Applications and
Forms Visa Wait
Times

Feedback | Contact Us

International
Travel Home

Passports
Home

Visas
Home

Children
& Family Home

Laws,
Regulation & Public Policy

About The
Bureau of Consular Affairs

News and
Updates

Congressionial
Liaison

Home > Visas Home

Printer friendly version

Email

Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs for U.S. Travel Documents
- for Visa Online Applications

NOTE: This
version includes digital image requirements for the two new online nonimmigrant
visa electronic applications: DS-160 and DS-1648.

Technological advances
have changed the way passport and visa photos may be taken and the way that the
U.S. Department of State processes the photos. This website is designed to help
photographers ensure that:

Customers are accurately represented and

Photos are free of common defects that cause delays

These Guidelines for Producing
High Quality Photographs for U.S. Travel Documents are divided in the links
below. The Guide presents the latest recommendations for passport and
visa photographs. Please take the time to become familiar with the information
provided. With your help producing good quality photos for U.S. passports and
U.S. visas, the Department of State can process the applications efficiently.

Setup

Composition
Checklist

Photo Quality

Digital Image
Requirements for New Online Application

Digital Photography
and Printing

Scanning a Printed
Photo for New Online Application

Frequently Asked
Questions

Glossary of
Terms

NOTE: These digital
photo requirements do NOT apply to the electronic Diversity
Visa (DV) lottery application at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. The
photo specifications for DV lottery online entry can be found on pages two
and three of the instructions located at http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/2009DVInstructions.pdf.

Printer friendly version

Email

We Want You to Know

Visa
News

Diversity
Visa

Visa
Waiver Program (VWP)

Iraqis
& Afghans-SIV

Business
Visa Center

It's
Important to Apply Early

Customer
Service Statement to Visa Applicants

Fraud
Warning

About
Us  |   Feedback  |
Contact
Us  |   Email
this Page  |   Print  |
Search  |
Top of
Page
This site is
managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an
endorsement of the views contained therein.
Copyright
Information  |   Disclaimers
|   Other
U.S. Government
Information